Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)
Toronto to Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Ontario
The Queen Elizabeth Way connects Toronto's western suburbs through Burlington, Hamilton, and St. Catharines to the US border crossings at Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. The QEW carries enormous freight volumes serving the Niagara border and the Hamilton-Burlington industrial corridor. The Burlington Skyway — twin elevated bridge structures crossing Hamilton Harbour at 40 metres height — is the corridor's defining hazard: fully exposed to Lake Ontario winds, subject to frequent wind closure for high-profile vehicles, and prone to rapid ice formation. The QEW is one of Ontario's most important and most accident-prone commercial corridors.
Length
160 km
160 km
Risk Rating
MODERATE
MODERATE
Risk Factors
Burlington Skyway wind exposure — frequent high-profile vehicle closures
Lake Ontario weather effects on elevated structures
Rapid ice formation on Burlington Skyway deck
High traffic density (Toronto to Niagara border)
QEW/403/407 interchange complexity near Burlington
Winter conditions in Niagara Peninsula
Notorious Segments
- Burlington Skyway (wind and ice)
- QEW/403 Mississauga interchange complex
Connected Hubs
Regions
Canada
Ontario